RV Toolbox

BY FRED SMITH DECEMBER 2009

How to Hitch Your Travel Trailer

How to… With Harold

Harold, our friendly Lazydays RV Technician, instructs travelers on how to hitch their trucks to their trailers for maximum towing in this informational video by Better RVing.

How to… With Harold Articles:
Part 2: How to Hitch Your Travel Trailer
Part 1: How to Hitch Your Fifth Wheel

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Steve Roddy

Jan. 07, 2011 - 11:16 AM

The hitch does not determine transmission towing requirements. Determine what vehicle you are going to tow and go to remco.com to see the equipment that will be needed to tow the vehicle properly. I can help you if you tell me what you will be towing.

Debi (Fl)

Jan. 07, 2011 - 05:07 AM

We r picking up our first RV in 2 weeks. What is a good hitch to tow a van/car. With out ruining the trans. Or having to check straps frequently. Thanks for the advise. Debi

john (tampa)

Aug. 28, 2010 - 10:12 AM

in this story it said that the ball should be straight up. this is wrong! Blue ox wants the ball to have a 5% angle to it. I spoke with Gregg Altarac at lazydays and blue ox and they both said it should have a 5% angle . I beleve this video is wrong.

Steve Roddy

Jun. 30, 2010 - 10:34 AM

Distance between rails and 5th wheel need to be at least 6" and it is very important that the 5th wheel is being towed level. If it is unlevel one axle will be carrying more weight and doing more braking.

Ron (FLORIDA, PEMBROKE PINES)

Jun. 30, 2010 - 08:49 AM

enjoyed, the 5th. wheel info. only i was hoping you would talk about distance between bed rails of truck and trailer. thanks

BillW

Jun. 05, 2010 - 11:41 PM

Sounds like you bought one of the FEMA type trailers, they many were getting hooked up to permanent type sites.

Patricia (New Jersey)

Jun. 05, 2010 - 06:17 PM

I ve just bought a used 2006 Gulf Stream Cavalier RV Trailer. I had it dropped up to my house in PA, I hired a professional driver to bring it from Georgia. The driver said that the RV does not have a sewer system, no water tank and no gas tank.

Steve Roddy

May. 21, 2010 - 08:39 AM

Most commonly they are 1 1/8"

tampacamper

May. 20, 2010 - 03:53 PM

Hi Can you tell me the bolt head size on a reese round bar ball mount and the nuts. My trailer is in storage and I dont want to run back and forth if I grab the wrong size. Thanks

betterRVing

May. 13, 2010 - 12:50 PM

Thank you for contacting Better RVing.com, your feedback is important to us. After many hours of research and testing, we have found a solution to the video viewing issues. We have resourced a new company to help streamline the video for fast and efficient viewing for slower connection speeds.

We hope you will continue to visit and be an active participant at Better RVing.com; your feedback will continue to help us improve.

Sincerely,
Better RVing.com

Dave (Jefferson, WI)

Apr. 16, 2010 - 07:06 AM

I think Ernie should troubleshoot why so many visitors to the site cannot view the videos! They look like great subjects, but I ve nver been able to get a single one to play.

Nora (Miami FL)

Apr. 08, 2010 - 08:29 PM

I do not have an story yet, first I need to buy a RV, something beauty and not expensive, so I m hearing offers. Thanks a lot

Steve Roddy

Mar. 25, 2010 - 09:16 AM

Depending on what it is that is giving you a problem? If it is putting the tension on the spring bars I would suggest an electric tongue jack. This will allow you to raise the front of the trailer after connecting to the tow vehicle to easily connect the proper chain link needed to tow level. There are several items available also if the problem is backing up and aligning the trailer ball and coupler.

Carol (San Antonio)

Mar. 24, 2010 - 05:08 PM

I cannot hitch my 29 camper to my car. It is too hard. Is there something I can buy that is easy enough for a woman? I am in good shape but not strong enough.

Julio (Rock Hill, SC)

Mar. 21, 2010 - 08:43 AM

Hi, Please be aware you have left out a lot of critcal info from your trailer hitching video. Your video seems to indicate that three links on the WD bars levels the trailer. You also do not cross the safety chains which is a requirement in most plac

Bob (Western Australia)

Dec. 24, 2009 - 01:06 AM

Hi we cross the chains so if the worst happens the A frame dont dig into the road

Dan (Cheyenne, WY)

Dec. 18, 2009 - 04:45 PM

Funny thing, I was ready to suggest crossing the safety chains, then I read comments from others. I ve always crossed mine, good idea or not??

Steve (Lazydays RV)

Dec. 17, 2009 - 09:44 AM

Crossing the chains is a great idea and is required in some states so the tounge will not hit the ground

Gary Thomas (Baltimore, MD)

Dec. 16, 2009 - 10:03 PM

Its very annoying when I open a page and the sound immediately starts to play!!

tom (lubbock, tx)

Dec. 16, 2009 - 02:41 PM

would it not be better to cross the trailer savety chains, so if it does com loose the trailer toung will not drop to the pavement. If crossed , the trailel tongoe will settle on the chains, & not damage anything. Only my idea that I have used for ab

Show Next 5 Comments

BY FRED SMITH DECEMBER 2009

How to Hitch Your Travel Trailer

How to… With Harold

Eliminating Battery Corrosion

Plug in, Log On: Part 1

Plug in, Log On: Part 4

How to Access Digital Editions of betterRVing.com

CORRECTION Troubleshootin' With Ernie

Troubleshootin’ with Ernie

Plug In, Log On: Part 3

Troubleshootin’ with Ernie

Plug In, Log On: Part 2

Trouble Shootin’ with Ernie